Mount Ajo, Diaz Spire, Montezuma's Head

30-Dec-67

By: Abe Siemens

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument New Years Weekend-

On Dec 30, a number of Desert Peakers met at the Monument Visitor Center near Lukeville, Arizona and planned the climbs for the 3-day weekend. Though the 11 AM meeting time left few remaining daylight hours, we decided to climb the Monument's high point, Mt. Ajo, 4805', that PM. Sixteen climbers achieved the summit after a 2400' gain along a class 2 route. We descended via the more direct Estes Canyon route. The early afternoon departure produced the expected results as we spent the final hour of the descent following a desert wash in darkness.

Upon reaching the cars, a portion decided to spend the following day exploring the Monument by car. The remainder abandoned the planned climb of Kino Peak in favor of Diaz Spire, 3,892', and Montezuma's Head, 3,634', to be led by Dick Sykes and Gene Gail, respectively.

DPS-RCS Gail ably led his party up the fifth class! Head, which had only been climbed a dozen or so times previously. The Diaz Spire group also reached its objective. Third class Kino peak has to wait for another time and we all hope to return again both to climb and enjoy the Sonoran Desert and its beautiful vegetation.